Cazenovia College’s women’s volleyball team has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2009-2010 season. The team is one of 75 NCAA Division III women’s volleyball teams whose members have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.30 during the full academic year.  

Team members are:  
Jacklyn Bakken, of Blossvale, N.Y., is a freshman who has not declared a major.
Taylor Cassavaw, of Chateaugay, N.Y., is a junior majoring in human services, specializing in mental health services.
Jessica Converse, of Rose, N.Y., is a junior majoring in sport management.
Samantha Converse, of Rose, N.Y., is a senior majoring in early childhood teacher education.
Jessica Finnegan, of Keeseville, N.Y., is a sophomore who has not declared a major.
Deanna Frink, of Pitcher, N.Y., is a sophomore majoring in inclusive elementary education.
Lauren Harder, of Oneonta, N.Y., is a junior majoring in visual communications.
Katherin Hurlbut, of Remsen, N.Y., is a junior majoring in early childhood teacher education.
Ashley Kelley, of Factoryville, Pa., is a senior majoring in visual communications.
Megan Pomarico, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is a junior majoring in inclusive elementary education.
Allison Rapant, of Cobleskill, N.Y., is a junior majoring in management, specializing in equine business management.
Noelle Sippel, of Webster, N.Y., is a sophomore majoring in visual communications.
Catherine Walsh, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., is a junior majoring in fashion design.
Christine Ward, of Palatine Bridge, N.Y., is a sophomore majoring in inclusive elementary education.
Carissa Wheeler, of Aurora, N.Y., is a junior majoring in communication studies.
Lindsey Wood, of Dundee, N.Y., is a junior majoring in interior design.

C.  Joseph Behan, vice president for student development and dean for student life notes that the team maintained a collective average of 3.373 on a scale of 4.0, and is one of eleven teams out of Cazenovia College’s 18 NCAA Division III teams to maintain an average greater than 3.0. “I am very proud of the statement these numbers convey as they relate to the priorities of our athletics program and our congruence with the NCAA Division III philosophy. I’m grateful to the athletics staff members; and to our student athletes, who are the true hearts and souls that these numbers represent.”

Rob Kenna, director of athletics said, “The ability to succeed in the classroom, on the court and in the community is a challenge that every team faces. I’m quite proud that our women’s volleyball team met and surpassed these challenges.”

Coach Brian Bobo, a member of the AVCA, nominated his team for the award, which was initiated by the AVCA in the 1992-93 academic year to honor collegiate and high school volleyball teams that display excellence in the classroom during the school year.

This year, a record number of 450 teams received recognition. "There is no better way to gauge the success of a sport than to track the accomplishments of the people who participate," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer.  "Each of these 450 teams represents 12-15 really smart kids. What a great day for the sport of volleyball!"  

The AVCA’s mission is to promote the sport of volleyball. More than 5,000 members of the organization provide a professional network for individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and developing the sport.  As a group, the AVCA is committed to the development, growth, advancement and publicity of volleyball throughout the world.  Further information is available at www.avca.org.